"Imagine All the People"

We complain about the persistent sins and injustices in this world. We blame God for the wrongdoing and evil things that happen at the hands of other men. At first glance it appears to be a viable criticism. If God is supposedly all-powerful, all-loving, all-knowledgeable, why doesn’t he intervene when his supposed “children” suffer the injustices of this world? There are a few directions we could go with this but in the same spirit of John Lennon, let’s “Imagine” for a moment a world where such evil, sinful tendencies didn’t exist.

In order for this “imagined” world to exist, the current freedoms allowing a man to pursue evil, sinful things could not exist. Therefore this very same freedom that also allows a man to pursue righteousness and great things; setting himself apart from the masses and leaving a legacy that lasts for generations, could not exist. We often forget that choice is what allows men to freely pursue endeavors that afford him the opportunities to be distinguished, great, legends, heroes, set apart, etc.; all things we naturally want whether we pursue them for evil or good or realistically speaking, pursue anything at all. If we didn’t have the opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the masses or if we were all perfect clones of one another inhabiting the characteristics of a righteous God there would be no distinction; no individuality. Basically put, the lack of distinction would steal any opportunity for greatness or hope of being set apart. Yes, it would solve the issues of injustice, war, poverty, abuse, wrong doing; all of which would no doubt be a beautiful, beautiful thing. But wouldn’t this world without distinction then lead to a world lacking any substance? Substance including the things pursued but not yet attained; goals strived for but not yet accomplished; the pursuit of goodness and kindness; opportunities to bless and be blessed; the joy of seeing progress and change; pursuing love and seeing this love grow even in the midst of brokenness; experiencing the power of forgivness; appreciation for good things; appreciation for anything.  Why do you appreciate good food or good sex?  Because you've tasted the opposite; the bad and broken side of both.

Could these things exist if there was no evil? If these substantive things didn’t exist, what would be the purpose? If there is no purpose, wouldn’t our existence be absolutely pointless?

I have a feeling if the model were different and we were all clones of a loving God in action, we would somehow find a way to blame him for not giving us the freedom or the opportunity to be distinguished or set apart. Do we contradict ourselves when we demand freedom while at the same time praying that all people would inhabit the righteous characteristics of God? It seems to me that you can’t have both.

I guess I have trouble “imagining” what this world would look like. Even though we expect heaven to be this way, our attendance or absence there ultimately begins with the choice to accept Christ and spend eternity in his presence or not; again, beginning with the freedom to choose.

So as I read through my thoughts, I’m left with this summarized view of the existence of sin:

A world without sin is a world without choice.
A world without choice is a world without freedom.
A world without freedom is a world with no distinction.
A world with no distinction is a world with no greatness.
A world with no greatness is a world with no substance.
A world with no substance is a world with no purpose.
A world with no purpose is pointless.

The Weight of This World

Today was a pretty good day.  Besides the fact that I didn't have to use my AK...I was able to squeeze out a PR on my Split Jerk at 265lbs and though extremely ugly, made it count.  

It's been a little rough as of late making the time to sit in front of the ol' Dell 5500 when I've got 2 awesome kids awaiting my crowd favorite kangaroo-hop-down-the hallway stunt, and any new Jim Carey-like impersonations I can conjure up (since my "old silly faces" don't pack the punch they did when they were brand new...2 days ago).  I've also got a wife that needs a break from her crazy day (cue 2 toddlers and a newborn reference), several things going on at work, and a pretty hefty training schedule of nearly 2 times per day/6 days a week.  So yea, welcome to the insanity the Woolfenden household likes to refer to as "our blessings." 

I have every intention to begin writing on and referencing the principles I discussed in my last post, but after I got done with my workout today I couldn't help but feel in awe of the weight I feel both from this world and for this world.  That small amount of weight on my back is representative of the huge burden so many of us carry around on a daily basis.  Whether it be our own sin, hurt from our past, brokenness from loss, regrets from poor choices or whatever; its a load to carry.

One of the consistent threads you will see woven throughout scripture is the basic, yet powerful principle that Christ made himself the load-bearer for anything and everything we carry with us.  Who did he say he came to save?  The broken, the weary, the sick, the lame.  Why?  Because these are the ones who recognize they have a burden needing to be unloaded.  The ones who claim they are strong enough on their own don't see the need for a load-bearer. 

The funny thing is, we all fit this wrinkly, left-in-the-pocket, fresh-out-the-washer, 3-dollar bill.  If you're human....boom, you're broken, lost, weak, sick, lame, etc.  However, Jesus uses these terms because he's looking for those that are willing to look outside an ego-centric "inner strength" and realize their own "sickness", so when he calls they can instantly resonate with his message and take action; action that will lead them to the cross; the place that continues to bear the weight of our world if we let it.  If we do allow it, we are literally allowing Christ to bring light (i.e. truth, healing, grace, forgiveness, mercy, etc) to the areas of our lives filled with darkness (i.e. blindness, no direction, unanswered questions, lost hope, etc).  It's here you will find rest for your soul.  It's here you will find a home.  It's here you will no longer walk alone.  It's here you have someone offering to bear your burdens.  It's here you will finally put those burdens to death.

Always remember:  Just because we aren't willing or (respectfully speaking) "able" to give up our burdens, does not mean Christ isn't waiting to accept them.  Brokenness and sin is a process; laying down your burdens is a process...so why wait to begin this process?  If you don't know where to start, find someone who does. 

Burst My Bubble....Please

For those of you not fluent in Chritianeese, Christians have this thing we call the "Christian Bubble."  It's a comfy little place; a cozy nook dressed with all the amenities of a 5-Star hotel.  It offers made-to-order sermons at the touch of a button, church volunteers eager to greet you with service and smile, hot coffee and a warm muffin, any book you desire to fill a specific "spiritual-kick" you may be on, people who speak the same, often Treky-like language, and to solidify my analogy...yup, a fitness center.  I mean shoot, who would ever want to stray far from that path?  It feels good right?...RIGHT!

So here's the deal.  In no way (I repeat: "in-no-way") is this post a planned attack on the ministries of the modern church or any one church in particular.  I can appreciate the intent and the proven ability to drive people through those church house doors; doors that ultimately lead to a sermon (hopefully) based on Biblical truth; truth that can change hearts and change lives with the power of Christ.  I get it.  However, I DO want to suggest that these comforts promote exactly that...comfortable living.  And while they entice them to walk through those doors, how much is being done to get them out the door and on the streets where they belong? 

When the "training grounds" are filled with so many great amenities it can be difficult for individuals to break free from those show-cased comforts when they walk out and hit the battlefield for Christ.  I mean come on, let's not forget who we are: the enemy to the wicked; the hated among the evil; the mocked among the "higher-minded;" the radical among the "mystics" and so on.  But yea, comfort definitely makes it difficult to burst the proverbial bubble or at least the desire or the "want-to."

So what kind of evidence or knowledge am I bringing to the table?  Only the fact that I've lived in this thing nearly my entire life.  I've had glimpses of life "outside the bubble" but usually those were circumstances by which I was the "mission field" and not the one bringing "the mission." 

I'm tired of living in this thing, and I'm frustrated because it is completely and entirely MY FAULT.  Therefore, my goal over the next few weeks is to begin processing life outside this bubble as it relates to my Christian faith and put forth energy and practice at explaining the staple things that we-Christians take absolutely for granted (i.e. sin, salvation, the human condition, goodness, evil, heaven, hell, etc) and do so in such a way that not only speaks truth to the non-believer, but also revitalizes the hunger and pursuit of Christ for those of us claiming to follow Him. 

I'll end with two notes: 

1) If we are followers of Christ, we should feel compelled to share with those that don't know Him the joy and freedom we experience as a result of our salvation.  But how can we do that if we don't even know how to engage them in a language they understand?  "Sinful," "fallen," "evil," and "saved" just aren't good enough.  We should know how to explain each one of those terms in a way that is completely in-line with scripture.  Are you there?  If not, why not?  What will you do to get there?  Are you willing to break from the bubble and pursue those that need Christ?

2) Never feel as though you have arrived in the things of Christ simply because you know a few buzz words.  These words/terms represent the tip of an infinite iceberg.  If we are to mature as believers and ultimately be the ones maturing others, we should have a solid grasp on what these mean....NOT to believers, but to non-believers.  I believe that as we learn this fact, we will realize the true depth associated with such magnificent terms.

So yea...ringading-ding; it's time to take up your cross...who's comin' with me!!??  Oh yea, you should hear a very loud POP as you walk out the door followed by what would seem to be a wheezing piece of rubber losing all of it's air...